Liam Fox has vowed to make his own mark in the dugout after following in Craig Levein’s footsteps in becoming Cowdenbeath’s new head coach.
The former Inverness, Livingston and Raith Rovers midfielder has been appointed Colin Nish’s successor at Central Park after resigning from his post as Hearts Under-17s coach.
Hearts director of football Levein served his managerial apprenticeship at the Blue Brazil for three years before taking on the reigns at Hearts, Leicester City, Raith Rovers, Dundee United and Scotland.
The Edinburgh club regard Fox as a potential future manager and believe Cowdenbeath is the ideal location for the one-time Hearts trainee to cut his teeth in the dugout.
Hearts said in a statement that the ‘win-win arrangement’ would enable Fox to build on his experience ‘with the stated intention of him returning to Hearts in the future’.
At just 32-years-old, Fox is thrilled by the chance to experience frontline management.
Fox said: “Cowdenbeath is my only focus and I’m only concentrating on that job.
“I want to get a team on the park that wins football matches and whatever happens in the future happens.
“It’s definitely an exciting challenge, and I’m looking forward to it.
“Craig has been really helpful, we spoke about his experiences there.
“He had a great time there, he said it wasn’t easy and it took him a while to get to grips with things.
“I’m very fortunate that I’ve worked under guys with great experience at Hearts, the likes of Craig, Robbie Neilson, Stevie Crawford and John Robertson have all been great people to speak to during my time there.
“They’re still at the end of the phone if I need them but I’ve also got to go out and put my own stamp on it and be my own man.”
Fox is slightly younger than Levein was when the current Hearts director of football took his first step into management in November 1997.
Fox, who will work alongside first team coach Jason Dair added: “I’ve not actually thought about the age thing really. The opportunity came up and I was obviously really keen to take it.
“I’m young but it’s just one of these things and I have to deal it. I’ll come in and put my own stamp on it. It’s just a number.”
Fox takes over from Nish after the former Hibs striker was dismissed following Cowdenbeath’s relegation from League One after a play-off defeat to Queens Park.
It is also understood that Hearts plan to send some of their promising youngsters to Central Park on loan next season.
Speaking about the club’s appointment, Cowdenbeath chairman Donald Findlay said: “Liam is a highly regarded, talented and ambitious young coach.
“We have an excellent relationship with Heart of Midlothian and I am very grateful to Ann Budge and her colleagues for allowing Liam to join us as head coach.
“Liam and Jason are both aware of my determination to see the club make an immediate return to Ladbrokes League 1.
“Suffice it to say, they share that determination, relish the challenge and have already started work.
“I hope that everyone who has an interest in or affection for Cowdenbeath FC will give them wholehearted support as we embark upon the next chapter of the Club’s proud history which stretches back 135 years – and counting.”
